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Facts About Backpack Injury
- Heavy backpacks have a destructive impact on the posture and spinal health of children.
- Today's heavy loads are causing injuries that can last a lifetime.
- 55% of students carry more than the recommended national guidelines of 10-15% of body weight. (Simmons College, April , 2001)
- The average student has a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score for pain of 5.8 (Northeastern University)
The study further showed that a good way to prevent this injury was with an AIRPACKS backpack. Specifically, the average student wearing an AIRPACKS backpack had a 50% reduction in pain as compared to the control group and had an average VAS score of 1.8)
- 66% of school nurses reported seeing students with pain or injury attributed to carrying backpacks. (AIRPACKS survey, 2000)
- Up to 60% of children will experience back pain by the time they reach 18 years of age. (University of Michigan)
- National Public Radio reported that 65% of adolescents visits to doctors are for backpack related injuries. (October, 1998)
- The American Academy of Orthopedics stated that backpack injury is a significant problem for children.
- 58% have seen patients complaining about back or shoulder pain related to backpacks
- 65% have recommended that a patient modify use of a backpack to improve or correct a back problem. (October 1999)
- Medical professionals advise that individuals carry no more than 10-15% of their body weight on their backs. Example: a child weighing:
| Users’ weight |
Backpack weight |
| 50 lbs. |
No more than 7.5 lbs. |
| 80 lbs. |
No more than 12 lbs. |
| 100 lbs. |
No more than 15 lbs. |
| 130 lbs. |
No more than 19.5 lbs. |
Many children, teens and adults are carrying up to 40 lbs. and are potentially injuring themselves. |
Pruitt Chiropractic
88 East Main Road
Middletown
(401) 847.8889
www.pruittchiropractic.com
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